scat max
SCAT Airlines has expanded its MAX 9 fleet by placing a firm order for five additional aircraft and converting five previously ordered MAX 8s to the larger MAX 9, bringing the total MAX 9 commitments to ten aircraft. The Kazakhstan-based carrier announced this fleet update on April 29, 2026, to support its growing international route network and long-haul single-aisle operations.
Fleet Specifications and Capabilities
In SCAT’s configuration, the MAX 9 seats 213 passengers in a single-class layout and offers a range of up to 3,300 nautical miles (6,110 kilometers). The MAX 9 can accommodate up to 220 passengers and provides 21% more seats than SCAT’s previous 737-NG aircraft while burning 20% less fuel. SCAT currently operates nearly 40 Boeing jets, including nine MAX 8s and MAX 9s.
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SCAT Airlines plans to leverage the expanded MAX 9 fleet to operate long-haul flights from Kazakhstan and pioneer seventh-freedom routes from Central Asia across Europe and Asia. Seventh-freedom operations allow airlines to fly between two foreign countries without routing through their home state. The airline recently launched a landmark Prague-Sanya service connecting the Czech Republic and China with a technical stop in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan—a journey exceeding 14 hours.
According to Vladimir Denissov, President of SCAT Airlines, “Converting five of the previously ordered 737-8s to 737-9s, together with the new firm order for five 737-9s, enhances our seating capacity per flight and will improve schedule reliability as we expand our international network”. Paul Righi, Boeing’s Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Eurasia, India and South Asia, noted that “the 737-9 offers the right combination of capacity, range and efficiency to help airlines expand their networks while lowering operating costs”.
Bottom Line
The MAX family offers excellent fuel burn. Our analysis for US operators shows a 23.4% fuel-burn improvement for the MAX 9 over the -900ER.
Switching to the MAX 9 is a move many airlines are making, and the largest MAX 9 operators today are Alaska Airlines and United Airlines. The MAX 9 and MAX 8-200 offer the best fuel burn for the MAX family.
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